Tamper evident flip cap

ABSTRACT

A closure includes a flip-top structure and a tamper-evident band. The flip-top structure is restricted from being opened because it interfaces against an underlying protrusion, such as a thread of a container&#39;s neck. To open the flip-top structure the closure is rotated with respect to the container neck. When the closure is rotated with respect to the container neck, the closure is configured such that the tamper-evident band breaks before the flip-top structure is permitted to rotate to an open position. Thus, the closure prevents accessing the container&#39;s contents until after the tamper-evident band is broken even with the addition of a flip-top structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/574,698, filed Sep. 18, 2019, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of closures. Thepresent disclosure relates specifically to a flip cap closure withtamper-evidencing features.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Described herein are systems and methods to for implementing a flip toptamper-evidencing closure. In one embodiment a container includes acontainer body, a container neck coupled to the container neck, and aclosure affixed to the container neck. The container neck is centeredaround a longitudinal axis and the closure and container neck arecoupled via interfacing helical threads. The closure includes an annularsidewall, which has the helical thread, a top structure pivotallycoupled to the annular sidewall, a content enclosure fixedly coupled tothe annular sidewall, and a tamper-evident band. The top structureincludes an annular wall, a securing tongue, and a safety tongue. Thesafety tongue restricts pivotal rotation of the top structure withrespect to the annular sidewall, and the top structure pivotally rotateswith respect to the annular sidewall via a hinge that is opposed to thesecuring tongue with respect to the longitudinal axis. The contentenclosure includes an interior wall, which defines an aperture, a lip, abottom surface, and an annular wall protruding from the bottom surface.The content enclosure's annular wall interfaces with the container neckto form a fluid-tight seal, and the content enclosure's interior wallinterfaces with the top structure's annular wall to form a fluid-tightseal. The top structure and the content enclosure collectively form afluid-tight seal. The tamper-evident band is coupled to the annularsidewall via a plurality of frangible connections. The safety lockrestricts pivotal rotation of the top structure with respect to theannular sidewall when the plurality of frangible connections areunbroken.

In another embodiment, a closure includes an annular sidewall centeredaround the longitudinal axis, a content enclosure, a top structure, anda tamper-evident band. The content enclosure includes a lip and isfixedly coupled to the annular sidewall. The top structure is pivotallycoupled to the content enclosure, and the top structure includes anannular wall that interfaces with the content enclosure to form afluid-tight seal. The top structure further includes a securing latchthat interfaces with the content enclosure's lip, and a safety lock thatrestricts pivotal rotation of the top structure with respect to thecontent enclosure. The top structure is pivotally coupled to the contentenclosure via a hinge that is opposed to the securing latch with respectto the longitudinal axis.

In another embodiment, the closure includes an annular sidewall centeredaround a longitudinal axis, a top structure, a content enclosure fixedlycoupled to the annular sidewall, a tamper-evident band, and a stopcoupled to the tamper band. The top structure is pivotally coupled tothe annular sidewall. The top structure includes a safety tongue thatinhibits pivotal rotation of the top structure with respect to theannular sidewall. The top structure pivotally rotates with respect tothe annular sidewall via a hinge that is opposed to the safety tonguewith respect to the longitudinal axis. The content enclosure defines anaperture that interfaces with the top structure's annular wall to form afluid-tight seal. The stop is coupled to the tamper band to inhibitrotation of the closure when the annular sidewall is rotated.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detaileddescription which follows, and, in part, will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art from the description or recognized bypracticing the embodiments as described in the written description andclaims hereof, as well as the appended drawings. It is to be understoodthat both the foregoing general description and the following detaileddescription are exemplar

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This application may be more fully understood from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements inwhich:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a tamper-evidencing flip topclosure, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of a tamper-evidencing flip top closure,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of a tamper-evidencing flip top closure,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of a tamper-evidencing flip top closure,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 depicts a front view of a tamper-evidencing flip top closure,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 depicts a back view of a tamper-evidencing flip top closure,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 depicts a bottom view of a tamper-evidencing flip top closure,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of a tamper-evidencing flip topclosure taken along the plane A-A defined in FIG. 2 , according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of a tamper-evidencing flip topclosure taken along the plane A-A defined in FIG. 2 , according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of an open tamper-evidencing fliptop closure taken along the plane A-A defined in FIG. 2 , the closurebeing affixed to a container neck, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of an open tamper-evidencing fliptop closure taken along the plane A-A defined in FIG. 2 , the closurebeing affixed to a container neck, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a closure and containertaken along the plane C-C defined in FIG. 3 , the closure being affixedto a container neck, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 depicts a perspective bottom view of a tamper-evidencing fliptop closure, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 depicts a perspective top view of a container neck, according toan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 15 depicts a perspective bottom view of a tamper-evidencing fliptop closure, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 16 depicts a perspective top view of a tamper-evidencing flip topclosure in an open position, the closure affixed to a container neck,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a tamper-evidencing flip top closureand a container neck, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an open tamper-evidencing flip topclosure and a container neck, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a tamper-evidencingflip top closure affixed to a container neck, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 20 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a tamper-evidencingflip top closure affixed to a container neck, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 21 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an opentamper-evidencing flip top closure affixed to a container neck,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a perspective bottom view of a tamper-evidencing flip topclosure, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a tamper-evidencing flip topclosure affixed to a container neck, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Many closures for containers include tamper-evidencing bands thatindicate when the seal between the closure and the container has beenopened. Many other closures include flip-top structures that allow usersto easily toggle the closure between an open and closed position.However, the flip-top structure and the tamper-evidencing band generallyoperate independently of each other.

In one embodiment, a closure includes a flip-top structure that isprevented from being opened by interfacing against an underlyingprotrusion (e.g., a thread of a container neck). The flip-top structureis prevented from opening until the closure is rotated with respect tothe container neck. When the closure is rotated with respect to thecontainer neck, the tamper-evident band breaks before the flip-topstructure is permitted to open. Thus, the closure prevents accessing thecontainer's contents until after the tamper-evident band is broken.

Illustrated in FIG. 1 is an exemplary flip-top closure 10. Flip-topclosure 10 comprises top structure 14 that rotates with respect tocontent enclosure 34 via hinge 12, which is located at the back offlip-top closure 10 from the perspective of FIG. 1 . FIGS. 2-7illustrate various orthogonal views of flip-top closure 10.

Turning to FIGS. 8-9 , illustrated therein is a cross-sectional view offlip-top closure 10. Annular sidewall 26 comprise threads 28 and areaffixed to container neck 82 of container 80. Annular sidewall 26 ofclosure 10 is centered on longitudinal axis 52. Annular sidewall 36 ofcontent enclosure 34 interfaces against container neck 82 to almostentirely seal aperture 102 of container neck 82, except for aperture 54of content enclosure 34. To seal aperture 54, top structure 14 comprisesannular channel 16 that interfaces with neck 38 of content enclosure 34.Annular channel 16 and planar top wall 18 of top structure 14collectively form a liquid-seal around aperture 54 of content enclosure34 to seal contents of container 80 within body 100 of container 80.

Top structure 14 pivotally rotates around hinge 12 with respect tocontent enclosure 34 between a closed position (shown in FIG. 8 ) and anopen position. Top structure 14 comprises engaging structure 20, whichcomprises several elements that interface with other components torestrict or even prevent rotation of top structure 14 with respect tocontent enclosure 34. Engaging structure 20 comprises safety lock 22 andsecuring tongue 24. Safety lock 22 interfaces with thread 84 to preventtop structure 14 from rotating towards an open position. Securing tongue24 interfaces with lip 42 to restrict top structure 14 rotating towardsan open position.

Flip-top closure 10 comprises tamper-evident band 32, which is coupledto annular sidewalls 26 via frangible connections 30. Tamper-evidentband 32 comprises J-band 50, which extends inwardly and upwardly, fromthe perspective of FIG. 9 . When flip-top closure 10 is rotated withrespect to container neck 82, J-band 50 interfaces against containerneck 82 until frangible connections 30 are broken, thus de-couplingtamper-evident band 32 from annular sidewall 26.

For example, turning to FIGS. 9-11 , when flip-top closure 10 is rotatedwith respect to container neck 82 then threads 28 of closure 10 sidewall26 interface against thread 84 of container neck 82, forcing flip-topclosure 10 up. J-band 50 interfaces with locking protrusion 98 untilfrangible connections 30 break, thus de-coupling tamper-evident band 32from sidewalls 26. Subsequently, safety lock 22 no longer interfaceswith threads 84 (best shown FIG. 10 ), thus allowing top structure 14 topivotally rotate with respect to content enclosure 34. As a result,contents of container 80 are permitted to selectively exit container 80via aperture 54 of content enclosure 34. Subsequently, flip-top closure10 can be selectively rotated with respect to container neck 82 to aposition in which safety lock 22 interfaces with thread 84, restrictingthe rotation of top structure 14 to a closed position.

When being opened, thread(s) 28 of closure 10 interface againstthread(s) 84 of container 80. Vertical distance 92 between thread(s) 84of container 80 in part determines the amount of play that closure 10has when being rotated with respect to container 80.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a flip-top closure 10affixed to container 80. Container 80 comprises stops 94 that interfacewith stop 60 affixed to flip-top closure 10, thereby preventing thefull-removal of flip-top closure 10 from container neck 82. FIG. 13illustrates the fragmented nature of threads 28, according to anembodiment. Thread 28 comprises thread segments 62, which are separatedby vertical gaps 44 and helical gaps 48. Thread segments 62 aredelimited by ends 46. FIG. 14 illustrates container 80 with containerneck 82. Threads 84 protrude from outer surface 86 radially away fromlongitudinal axis 52. Inner surface 90 of container neck 82 facesinwardly towards longitudinal axis 52.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a closure according to an embodimentdescribed herein. Among other features, the view depicted in FIG. 15illustrates the alternating nature of the threads 28 such that thread 28does not protrude across all 360 degrees of closure 10. In alternateembodiments thread 28 does protrude across all 360 degrees of closure10.

FIG. 16 depicts closure 10 attached to container such that top structure14 has been rotated open and subsequently closure 10 was rotated withrespect to container neck 82. As a result, thread 84 will interfere withtop structure 14 rotating back in to the closed position againstcontainer neck 82. One solution to this is to rotate closure 10 again sothat thread 84 no longer interferes with top structure 14 being rotatedinto the closed position.

Turning to FIGS. 17-23 , illustrated therein is an alternate embodimentof flip-top closure 10. In this alternate embodiment, J-band 50rotationally interfaces against ratchet lock 104 to cause the breakageof frangible connections 30. J-band 50 of tamper-evident band 32interfaces against ratchet lock 104 on container neck 82. As a result ofthat interfacing, when flip-top closure 10 is rotated with respect tocontainer neck 82, frangible connections 30 are broken when flip-topclosure 10 is rotated. Subsequently, flip-top closure 10 is rotated to aposition win which safety lock 22 is aligned with lock recess 96, thusallowing top structure 14 to pivot with respect to annular sidewalls 26.

It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplaryembodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the presentapplication is not limited to the details or methodology set forth inthe description or illustrated in the figures. It should also beunderstood that the terminology is for the purpose of description onlyand should not be regarded as limiting.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects ofthe disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view ofthis description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed asillustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in thevarious exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only afew embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, manymodifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Someelements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwisevaried, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions maybe altered or varied. Other substitutions, modifications, changes andomissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions andarrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing fromthe scope of the present disclosure.

While the current application recites particular combinations offeatures in the claims appended hereto, various embodiments of thedisclosure relate to any combination of any of the features describedherein whether or not such combination is currently claimed, and anysuch combination of features may be claimed in this or futureapplications. Any of the features, elements, or components of any of theexemplary embodiments discussed above may be used alone or incombination with any of the features, elements, or components of any ofthe other embodiments discussed above.

In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, includingangles, lengths and radii, as shown in the Figures are to scale. Actualmeasurements of the Figures will disclose relative dimensions, anglesand proportions of the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplaryembodiments extend to various ranges around the absolute and relativedimensions, angles and proportions that may be determined from theFigures. Various exemplary embodiments include any combination of one ormore relative dimensions or angles that may be determined from theFigures. Further, actual dimensions not expressly set out in thisdescription can be determined by using the ratios of dimensions measuredin the Figures in combination with the express dimensions set out inthis description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container assembly comprising: a containercomprising: a container body; and a container neck coupled to thecontainer body and centered around a longitudinal axis, the containerneck comprising a helical thread protruding from the container neckoutwardly away from the longitudinal axis; and a closure affixed to thecontainer neck, the closure comprising: a first annular wall comprisinga helical thread inwardly facing towards the longitudinal axis, thehelical thread of the first annular wall configured to slidably engagewith the helical thread of the container neck; a top structure pivotallycoupled to the first annular wall via a hinge, the top structurecomprising a second annular wall and an engaging structure, the engagingstructure restricts pivotal rotation of the top structure with respectto the first annular wall; a content enclosure fixedly coupled to thefirst annular wall, the content enclosure comprising a third annularwall and an interior wall defining an aperture, the third annular wallinterfacing with the container neck to form a fluid-tight seal, and theinterior wall of the content enclosure interfacing with the topstructure to form a fluid-tight seal, the top structure and the contentenclosure configured to collectively form a fluid-tight seal with thecontainer neck; and a tamper-evident band coupled to the first annularwall via a plurality of frangible connections, wherein the engagingstructure restricts pivotal rotation of the top structure with respectto the first annular wall when the plurality of frangible connectionsare unbroken.
 2. The container assembly of claim 1, the first annularwall and the third annular wall configured to engage opposing sides ofthe container neck.
 3. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein theengaging structure restricts pivotal rotation of the top structure withrespect to the first annular wall in part by interfacing against thehelical thread of the container neck.
 4. The container assembly of claim3, the closure further comprising: a J-band coupled to thetamper-evident band, wherein the J-band selectively interfaces againstthe container neck thereby causing the plurality of frangibleconnections to break.
 5. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein theclosure rotating with respect to the container neck results in: theplurality of frangible connections breaking; and subsequently, the topstructure no longer being prevented from pivotal rotation with respectto the content enclosure as a result of the interface between theengaging structure and the thread of the container.
 6. The containerassembly of claim 5, the closure further comprising: a J-band coupled tothe tamper-evident band, wherein the J-band selectively interfacesagainst the container neck thereby causing the plurality of frangibleconnections to break when the closure is being opened.
 7. The containerassembly of claim 1, wherein the second annular wall of the topstructure is configured to engage with the interior wall of the topstructure to seal the aperture.
 8. A closure comprising: a first annularwall comprising a helical thread inwardly facing towards a longitudinalaxis; a top structure pivotally coupled to the first annular wall via ahinge, the top structure comprising a second annular wall and anengaging structure, the engaging structure restricts pivotal rotation ofthe top structure with respect to the first annular wall; a contentenclosure fixedly coupled to the first annular wall, the contentenclosure comprising a third annular wall and an interior wall definingan aperture, the third annular wall of the content enclosure configuredto interface with a container neck to form a fluid-tight seal, and theinterior wall of the content enclosure interfacing with the topstructure to form a fluid-tight seal, the top structure and the contentenclosure configured to collectively form a fluid-tight seal with acontainer neck the closure is affixed to; and a tamper-evident bandcoupled to the first annular wall via a plurality of frangibleconnections, wherein the engaging structure restricts pivotal rotationof the top structure with respect to the first annular wall when theplurality of frangible connections are unbroken.
 9. The closure of claim8, the first annular wall and the third annular wall configured toengage opposing sides of the container neck.
 10. The closure of claim 8,wherein the engaging structure restricts pivotal rotation of the topstructure with respect to the first annular wall in part by interfacingagainst the helical thread of the container neck.
 11. The closure ofclaim 10, the closure further comprising: a J-band coupled to thetamper-evident band, wherein the J-band selectively interfaces againstthe container neck thereby causing the plurality of frangibleconnections to break.
 12. The closure of claim 8, wherein the closurerotating with respect to the container neck results in: the plurality offrangible connections breaking; and subsequently, the top structure nolonger being prevented from pivotal rotation with respect to the contentenclosure.
 13. The closure of claim 12, the closure further comprising:a J-band coupled to the tamper-evident band, wherein the J-bandselectively interfaces against the container neck thereby causing theplurality of frangible connections to break when the closure is beingopened.
 14. The closure of claim 8, wherein the second annular wall ofthe top structure is configured to engage with the interior wall of thetop structure to seal the aperture.
 15. A closure comprising: a firstannular wall comprising a helical thread inwardly facing towards alongitudinal axis, the first annular wall centered about thelongitudinal axis; a top structure pivotally coupled to the firstannular wall via a hinge, the top structure comprising a second annularwall and a securing tongue, the securing tongue protruding inwardstowards the longitudinal axis and the hinge; a content enclosure fixedlycoupled to the first annular wall, the content enclosure comprising alip, a third annular wall, and an interior wall defining an aperture,the lip extending outward from the third annular wall away from thelongitudinal axis and the hinge, the lip configured to engage with thetop structure to restrict pivotal rotation of the top structure withrespect to the content enclosure, the third annular wall configured tointerface with a container neck to form a fluid-tight seal, the interiorwall of the content enclosure interfacing with the top structure to forma fluid-tight seal, the top structure and the content enclosureconfigured to collectively form a fluid-tight seal with a container neckthe closure is affixed to; and a tamper-evident band coupled to thefirst annular wall via a plurality of frangible connections, wherein thesecuring tongue restricts pivotal rotation of the top structure withrespect to the first annular wall when the plurality of frangibleconnections are unbroken.
 16. The closure of claim 15, the first annularwall and the third annular wall configured to engage opposing sides ofthe container neck.
 17. The closure of claim 15, the closure furthercomprising: a J-band coupled to the tamper-evident band, wherein theJ-band selectively interfaces against the container neck thereby causingthe plurality of frangible connections to break.
 18. The closure ofclaim 15, wherein the closure rotating with respect to the containerneck results in: the plurality of frangible connections breaking; andsubsequently, the top structure no longer being prevented from pivotalrotation with respect to the content enclosure.
 19. The closure of claim18, the closure further comprising: a J-band coupled to thetamper-evident band, wherein the J-band selectively interfaces againstthe container neck thereby causing the plurality of frangibleconnections to break when the closure is being opened.
 20. The closureof claim 15, wherein the second annular wall of the top structure isconfigured to engage with the interior wall of the top structure to sealthe aperture.